The way to get a certificate of origin

You can apply for one at your local chamber of commerce — bear in mind, that you will need one per every shipment sent.

In some countries you can apply for a COO directly online. In other countries you fill in a standard certificate of origin form and submit it to your local chamber of commerce to be stamped and approved.

Since applying for a certificate of origin can be complicated, to save time you can get a representative, such as a freight forwarder, to apply for you.

And bear in mind that some countries require the certificate to be legally approved by an embassy or ministry of foreign affairs, which can take more time.

What are the different types?

There are two kinds of certificate of origin:

Non-preferential COO

This means the goods don’t qualify for any special treatment in the country they’re from. It’s only used to state the origin of your goods.

Preferential

This is for shipments between countries with a trade agreement and proves the goods qualify for reduced import duties.

What details do I need to include on a certificate of origin form?

1. The exporter's name and contact information
2. The producer's name and contact information (if different from exporter)
3. The receiver’s name and contact information
4. A clear goods description including HS code, quantity and weight
5. The country of origin
6. Means of transport and route details
7. Remarks
8. Commercial invoice number(s) and date(s)